Fresh Tragedy in Akungba: Fear Grips Ondo University Town as Another Female Student is Found Dead in Boyfriend’s Apartment

The university town of Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State has once again been thrown into turmoil following the brutal murder of Joy Adeyemi, a student of Human Kinetics at Adekunle Ajasin University. Her tragic death, which comes just weeks after the killing of two other students, has deepened the growing sense of fear and outrage among students and residents alike.

Joy, who was known among her peers for running a Point of Sale (POS) business in the area, had been declared missing earlier in the week. Her friends and neighbours began to worry when she failed to return home and was unreachable for days. It wasn’t until a strong, foul odour began to emanate from her boyfriend’s apartment that the shocking discovery was made.

Local residents, alarmed by the smell and the complete absence of the boyfriend, forced open the door. There, they found Joy’s lifeless body locked inside the room. According to early reports, she had been stabbed to death. Her boyfriend, believed to be a local indigene of the community, allegedly fled immediately after committing the crime.

Eyewitnesses and neighbours shared that the young man vanished shortly after the murder and has yet to be found. Many expressed disbelief and frustration over what appears to be a rising trend of violence targeting students. A resident who wished to remain anonymous said the suspect had taken Joy’s business funds before escaping.

“He stabbed her and locked her inside like she was nothing,” the source lamented. “The odour led us to her body. She had been missing since Tuesday. This is heartbreaking and terrifying.”

The killing of Joy has triggered a massive protest by students across the town. They stormed the streets with placards bearing messages like “Stop killing us, AAUA students” and “Justice for Joy”. Many voiced anger toward what they see as negligence by authorities and an apparent breakdown in security within the university community.

Calls for government action have grown louder, with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee, Ondo Axis, strongly condemning the repeated attacks on students. In a joint statement by Comrade Adekanye Adeboye and Oladele Emmanuel, the Chairman and Secretary respectively, the association expressed deep dismay over the loss of another student in such horrific circumstances.

They described the wave of killings as a direct consequence of poor security measures and demanded that both the Ondo State Government and law enforcement agencies rise to the occasion. The student body issued a 24-hour ultimatum, urging the government to identify and arrest the culprits, improve campus and town security, and reassure students of their safety.

“Students are no longer safe. Our lives have become cheap. If these issues are not addressed immediately, we will be forced to bring the entire Nigerian student body to Ondo State to demand action through peaceful protest,” the statement warned.

Law enforcement authorities have since confirmed that three individuals have been arrested in connection to Joy’s murder. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that investigations are actively underway and efforts are being made to locate and apprehend the primary suspect and any accomplices.

“We are making progress with the investigation. Three suspects are currently in custody. We are not leaving any stone unturned,” Ayanlade said during a press briefing.

The university’s administration also weighed in on the matter. Mr. Victor Akinpelumi, Head of Media and Protocols at AAUA, appealed to the students to remain calm and allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. He reassured the community that justice would be served and cautioned against any form of retaliation.

Students, however, are not easily pacified. Many argue that this incident is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of violence and insecurity that has been ignored for too long. They are calling for a full audit of safety protocols in and around the university, increased police presence, and a permanent security task force dedicated to protecting students.

As of now, the university remains tense, with academic activities suspended temporarily in some faculties due to the ongoing protests. Residents of Akungba-Akoko, too, are beginning to voice their concerns, fearing that a larger conflict may erupt if the security situation continues to deteriorate.

The murder of Joy Adeyemi is not just a crime; it is a chilling reminder of the dangers students face, even within the supposed safety of a university community. What happens in the coming days may determine whether students can continue their education in peace, or whether Akungba will remain a town under siege.